A Horseheads Birth Defect Attorney Defect Lawyer Can Help Your Family Achieve Justice

Birth defects can have a significant impact on your family. If a medical professional made malpractice during your pregnancy, that led to the condition of your child, you need to respond quickly.

A skilled birth injury lawyer can assist you in filing a claim against those responsible. In the meantime, start collecting receipts, bills and credit card statements.

Causes of Birth Defects

Birth defects can have a variety of causes. However, some of them are due to genetic disorders, where genes aren't working properly or are completely absent (like Turner syndrome and Down syndrome). They are also caused by chromosomal disorders, in which one or more chromosomes are too many or there are too few cells.

The majority of these problems are diagnosed in utero through ultrasound or amniocentesis. A sample of amniotic liquid from the uterus is taken and tested to detect genetic and chromosomal variations. In some cases doctors do not find the birth defect before a child exhibits symptoms such as an extra finger, cleft lips or club feet.

In addition to chromosomal and genetic issues, birth defects can be caused by problems with the nervous system or brain and musculoskeletal issues which affect joints, muscles, and bones. They can be mild to severe, and affect how a person looks or functions, including physical strength, learning capabilities and mobility.

While some birth defects can't be avoided, a few can be prevented. Couples with the history of certain genetic disorders should think about genetic testing before trying to have children. In addition avoidance of certain chemicals such as drugs, infections, and other environmental factors can decrease the risk of some birth defects. Medical mistakes and negligence in the treatment of pregnant women can also cause birth defects. It is crucial to speak with a birth defect attorney if you suspect an error in your medical treatment has caused the condition of your child.

Medical Malpractice

Medical negligence lawsuits that involve birth defects can be complex and require expert medical testimony. A compassionate and skilled medical malpractice lawyer will help your family to get justice and receive the amount of compensation you require to ensure that your child is able to have a normal, fulfilling life.

Your lawyer will identify the birth defect of your child and connect it to the medical professionals who were involved in the birth. They will also have to determine when your child's birth defect was discovered. This is important as it will help you know how long you'll need to make a claim before the statute of limitations runs out.

Your attorney should have access to any documents you have relating to the birth defect of your child, such as invoices, receipts and credit card transactions. This evidence will allow your attorney to prove the severity of the injuries your child has suffered and determine the amount of compensation you are entitled.

Birth defects can be caused by a myriad of factors that include genetic conditions, medication or chemicals, or exposure to diseases and infections. However, the vast majority of joliet birth defect attorney defects are not caused by medical malpractice or other type of negligence. Only when a doctor is unable to fulfill his or his or her duty of care and this failure causes an injury to a baby can a medical malpractice claim be deemed to be legitimate.

Drugs

Birth defects are atypical conditions that can develop in a child's body when it is born or during pregnancy. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) states that these conditions can affect any part of the body and range from mild to life-threatening.

Often, these disorders are the result of genetics or the mother's lifestyle. In certain cases, medical malpractice may be the cause of the child's illness. A Hyattsville birth defect lawyer can assist parents in determining the cause of their child's illness, and then take legal action.

Drugs can cause birth defects that are serious. These substances are referred to as teratogens. They encompass prescription drugs and street drugs. Thalidomide for instance, was once a commonly used sleep aid and pregnancy anti-nausea medication but was later discovered to be one of the most devastating drug-related birth defects in history. It caused limb reduction defects as well as mental and physical impairments.

Doctors are required to consider the risks of certain medications when prescribing them for pregnant women. If they fail to do so, they commit malpractice. Pharmaceutical companies and pharmacists have the obligation to inform women of the dangers of taking their medications.

Toxic Exposure

Although many birth defects are the result of a genetic defect that cannot have been prevented, a number of them are caused by exposure to toxic chemicals in the uterus. These substances may be present in the medications that pregnant mothers take or in environmental pollutants at home or work as well as in toxic chemical substances in workplaces. These chemicals are referred to as teratogens. They also have the potential to cause serious birth defects, such as spina bifida and developmental delays as well as skeletal deformities or brain damage, muscle dystrophy and low birth weight deformities of the limbs, and heart problems.

Certain toxins, such as arsenic or cadmium can be found in drinking water and soil. Lead is a well-known contaminant that can be found in paints for houses artwork materials plastics, cosmetics, and other materials. Other toxins include pharmaceuticals, such as selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) which have been shown to cause birth defects.

A lawyer with expertise in birth defects can assist parents determine if a substance or Horseheads Birth defect attorney chemical caused their child's birth injury. In these cases, our lawyers can bring a product-liability claim against the drug or chemical manufacturer who designed and produced a dangerous drug. In addition, we may bring a lawsuit against doctors who prescribe drugs that have been known to have adverse side effects on pregnant women.